Dust cover apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dust cover apparatus for use over the existing filter of a vacuum cleaner device comprises a multiple layer permeable flexible bag having a plurality of openings, one opening is disposed in the top and one opening is disposed in the bottom of the apparatus. A storage pocket is provided to hold the vacuum cleaner cord and vacuuming accessories. Elastic at one end and an adjustable tie cord at the other end of the apparatus secures the dust cover to a vacuum cleaner. The dust cover apparatus is removable, washable and reusable.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on provisional patent application serial No. 60/385,336, filed Jun. 3, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of the invention pertains to filters and, in particular, to a dust cover apparatus that covers the existing filter of a vacuum cleaner device.

[0003] Even after running a vacuum cleaner device, dust can be seen on television screens and other surfaces. Dust escapes from the filter bag in the vacuum cleaner device and through the filter holding bag of the vacuum cleaner device. It hardly seems that vacuuming has occurred when dust can be so clearly seen after the vacuuming process. Moreover, the dust cloud that is created during vacuuming is problematic for those persons having dust allergies or asthma.

[0004] An apparatus was needed for use to limit dust release from a vacuum. With a view toward providing more limited release of dust, applicant has developed the following dust cover apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The new dust cover apparatus for use with a vacuum cleaner device comprises a multiple layer permeable flexible bag having a plurality of openings, one opening is disposed in the top and one opening is disposed in the bottom of the apparatus.

[0006] The multiple layers can comprise a first layer of material having a close weave with a next layer affixed thereto. Material having a close weave is permeable and provides dust filtering/collecting.

[0007] Means for cinching the dust cover apparatus near the opening in the top end and near the opening in the bottom end are provided. Means for cinching can be elastic routed through a tunnel created at the end of the apparatus near the opening. Means for cinching can also be a tie cord that can be adjusted to the size of a vacuum cleaner that is emplaced inside the dust cover apparatus. Hook and loop fasteners, commonly known as Velcro (a registered trademark), can be advantageously employed as means for cinching. Means for cinching allow the dust cover apparatus to be removably fitted to vacuum cleaner devices of differing dimensions.

[0008] Another layer is affixed to one of the multiple layers and is attached along three sides providing a storage pocket. Dust that passed through the vacuum cleaner device can be filtered through additional layer/s of filtration by the dust cover apparatus.

[0009] The dust cover apparatus is placed over a vacuum cleaner device and is adjustably cinched to the vacuum cleaner device. In use, the vacuum cleaner device exhausts air that has passed through filters of the vacuum cleaner device into the dust cover apparatus. Additional filtering is provided as the air is forced by the vacuum cleaner exhaust pressure through layers of the dust cover apparatus according to the invention.

[0010] The dust cover apparatus of the invention can be easily removed and laundered to further control dust from the vacuum cleaner device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the front of the dust cover apparatus;

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of the apparatus with the drawstring tie thereshown;

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus positioned to a vacuum cleaner device; and

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus positioned to a vacuum cleaner device with the vacuum cleaner device turned on.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Illustrated in FIG. 1 the new dust cover apparatus 10 comprises multiple layers forming body 12. Body 12 has first layer 14 with layer 16 adjacent thereto and partial overlayer 18 forming pocket 20. Body 12 has top 22 and bottom 24. Top opening 26 and bottom opening 28 are provided near top 22 and near bottom 24, respectively.

[0016] Tunnel 30 is provided near top opening 26 and tunnel 32 is provided near bottom opening 28. Tunnel 30, 32 can be formed by turning edge of one of layers 14, 16 back on itself and securing edge to layer to form tunnel 30, 32.

[0017] Means for cinching 34 are emplaced into tunnel 30, 32. Elastic 36 (shown in phantom lining), tie cord 38, etc. can be advantageously employed as means for cinching 34. Tie cord 38 is effective for means for cinching 34 (FIG. 2)in tunnel 30 near top opening 26.

[0018] Means for cinching 34 (shown in phantom lining) disposed in tunnel 30 near top opening 26 is better shown in FIG. 2.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows apparatus 10 positioned on vacuum cleaner device 40. Bottom 24 of apparatus 10 is placed towards lower end of vacuum cleaner device 40. Top 22 of apparatus 10 is adjustably cinched near top of vacuum cleaner device 40. Cord 42 when not in use for vacuum cleaner 40 and accessory 44 for vacuum cleaner device 40 can be held in pocket 20.

[0020]FIG. 4 depicts apparatus 10 positioned on vacuum cleaner device 40 with vacuum cleaner device 40 being powered. Powered vacuum cleaner 40 pulls air through and exhausts air from a bag of vacuum cleaner device 40. Air from vacuum cleaner device 40 is routed through apparatus 10 prior to being exhausted to the environment. Apparatus 10 expand to its full size from air (indicated by arrows 46) being exhausted by vacuum cleaner device 40. Dust particles that passed through filters of vacuum cleaner device 40 are retained by apparatus 10.

[0021] A method for using the dust cover apparatus 10 comprising the following steps of placing dust cover apparatus 10 over a vacuum cleaner device 40, cinching dust cover apparatus 10 to vacuum cleaner device 40, and operating vacuum cleaner device 40 to create air flow 46 to route dust to dust cover apparatus 10. Additional dust collecting is thereby provided. 

1. A dust cover apparatus removably fittable to a vacuum cleaner device, the apparatus comprising a bag having multiple permeable layers, said bag having a plurality of openings, one opening disposed at the top and one opening disposed at the bottom of the apparatus, and means for cinching the cover apparatus near the opening in the top end and near the opening in the bottom end.
 2. The dust cover apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a layer affixed to one of the multiple layers attached along three sides providing a storage pocket.
 3. The dust cover apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is launderable.
 4. The dust cover apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for cinching comprises one of elastic, tie cord and hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The dust cover apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the multiple permeable layers being dustcollecting.
 6. A method for using the dust cover apparatus comprising the following steps placing dust cover apparatus over a vacuum cleaner device, cinching the dust cover apparatus to a vacuum cleaner device, and operating the vacuum cleaner device to create air flow to route dust to the dust cover apparatus thereby providing additional dust collecting. 